Lower Level Catalysts as Progression Barriers
DrZola
Member Posts: 9,414 ★★★★★
One of the more frustrating parts of the game is hitting what feel like artificial barriers to game progression--for the longest time it was high level catalysts like T4C and now is T2A. But perhaps even more frustrating for a veteran player is when those barriers occur with what could be viewed as "lower level" catalysts--T1A or T2C. I realize there are daily quests for T2C (how many times have you run them needing 2 only to get the sole guaranteed catalyst?) and the every-nine-days alpha arena; however, with catalyst intensive champs like 5*'s it becomes silly to have all the pieces in place to take them to R4 with the sole exception of T1A. In fact, in some ways, it has become easier to amass T4B and even T4C than it has to keep enough T1A in inventory and stash. With 4* champs, it can likewise be maddening to burn through a whole day's worth of energy and still not get the T2C you need to get past 1/10.
Is this done in an intentional effort to slow progression, or is it just a part of the game economy that is trailing the player's game experience right now? Is there any way the game team would consider making more "lower level" catalysts (specifically T1A, and I don't mean T1A shards) available than the ones in the event quests and arena--say in the new daily crystal or in a separate recurring crystal, or in greater quantities in the event quests?
For your consideration...
Dr. Zola
Is this done in an intentional effort to slow progression, or is it just a part of the game economy that is trailing the player's game experience right now? Is there any way the game team would consider making more "lower level" catalysts (specifically T1A, and I don't mean T1A shards) available than the ones in the event quests and arena--say in the new daily crystal or in a separate recurring crystal, or in greater quantities in the event quests?
For your consideration...
Dr. Zola
3
Comments
Dr. Zola
Yes--and that's part of my point. Take for example T3C--if you run for solo event milestones, you can practically be swimming in T3C and T3C shards. But there is no counterpart for T1A (or to some extent T2C, which is admittedly a lesser concern of mine since nearly every 4* I pull now is a dupe). I recall nearly 2 years ago when the T1A was a precious and limited resource because few people had 4/40's, and 5/50's were reserved for the truly elite. The game still treats T1A as that kind of resource even now when the 5/50 hasn't been the gold standard for a good while. That should change.
Dr. Zola
I've never ran out of aphas so I can't say why some people do all of my five stars are level two or three. Some pointed out in another thread resource management is important . Be proactive in getting resources not reactive
Another relevant point. It would be good to know that x number of passes on the T2C quests would get you two catalysts. As it stands now, if you don't get lucky on your first pass, you're likely to be on the receiving end of one of the Collector's "bargains" offering two T2C and 5K gold for 150 units.
All of this runs the risk of missing the basic point I was trying to make: availability of 4/5* champs via shards has outstripped the availability of some lower level resources needed to rank them up. If this is an intentional barrier to progression, then just say so. If it's just an example of the in-game economy not working, then there should be ways to remedy it.
DZ
Totally correct that resource management is critical. Like a lot of veterans, I don't bother with 3*'s or even 4*'s that are only arena fodder (unless I need an extra push for a solo milestone)--there's really no point unless you are trying to pad your rating. All of my 5*'s (save 2 lunkers) are R2/3 and I don't bother taking 4*'s to 5/50 any more unless they are top tier, are helpful to a particular aspect of game play or I have expiring cats. And yet I find myself with zero T1A at the moment, only a couple of months after having to sell a half dozen that were expiring. It's kind of a strange place, and I'm certain I'm not alone there.
DZ
Just completed full run on the Science tier 3 catalyst. I did not check how many shards I started with but after completion, the count is at 1,721.
Real bad.